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Taxonomy, Definition, Modern Trends, Process, and Benefits

Taxonomy: This article provides the definition of taxonomy, its process, modern trends, plant and animal taxonomy, the father of taxonomy, and its benefits.
authorImageKrati Saraswat4 Jun, 2025
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Taxonomy

Taxonomy  is the science of classifying living organisms into groups based on their shared features. It helps scientists organize the vast diversity of life on Earth into categories, making it easier to study and understand. Taxonomy involves identifying organisms, giving them names, and placing them into a hierarchical system. This topic is important for the NEET Exam , and it is an important part of the NEET biology syllabus .

Taxonomy Definition

Taxonomy is the scientific discipline focused on naming, describing, and classifying all living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It involves the systematic arrangement of organisms into groups, called taxa , which are given specific taxonomic ranks. These ranks can be organized into a hierarchy, allowing smaller groups to be aggregated into larger, more inclusive ones. The principal ranks used in modern taxonomy include domain, kingdom, phylum (or division in botany), class, order, family, genus, and species. This hierarchical system enables the classification of organisms from broad categories down to specific species. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus is credited as the founder of the modern system of taxonomy, known as Linnaean taxonomy. His method not only established a ranked classification system but also introduced the use of binomial nomenclature, a two-part naming system for identifying organisms.

Modern Trends in Taxonomy

Modern taxonomy has evolved significantly with advancements in technology and scientific knowledge. New tools and approaches have transformed the way organisms are classified, making the process more accurate and reflective of evolutionary relationships. The major trends in modern taxonomy include the following:

Cytotaxonomy

Cytotaxonomy focuses on the study of the structure, number, and behavior of chromosomes in cells to classify organisms. Differences in chromosome structure and number can provide important clues about the relationships between species and help in identifying new species.

Chemotaxonomy

Chemotaxonomy classifies organisms based on their chemical composition, such as proteins, enzymes, and secondary metabolites. This method is particularly useful in studying plants, fungi, and microorganisms, where chemical profiles can reveal evolutionary relationships that may not be obvious from physical characteristics.

Molecular Taxonomy

Molecular taxonomy uses genetic information, such as DNA , RNA , and protein sequences, to classify organisms. This approach allows scientists to compare the genetic makeup of different species and determine evolutionary relationships more accurately than relying solely on physical traits. It has led to the discovery of new species and reclassification of others based on genetic evidence.

Numerical Taxonomy

Numerical taxonomy, or phenetics, involves the use of mathematical methods to classify organisms based on their overall similarity. It relies on computers to analyze a large number of characteristics quantitatively and assigns organisms to groups based on how similar they are to each other. While this method does not consider evolutionary history, it helps in grouping organisms with similar traits efficiently.

Plant Taxonomy

Plant taxonomy is a specialized branch of taxonomy that deals with the classification, identification, and naming of plants. It involves grouping plants based on their evolutionary relationships and shared characteristics, such as structure, reproduction, and genetic traits. The principal taxonomic ranks in plant taxonomy include kingdom, division (equivalent to a phylum in animals), class, order, family, genus, and species . This classification system helps botanists and researchers study the diversity of plant life, aiding in research, conservation efforts, and agricultural advancements. Linnaeus' system, particularly binomial nomenclature, remains central to naming plants scientifically.

Animal Taxonomy

Animal taxonomy is the scientific study focused on classifying and naming animals based on their evolutionary relationships and physical characteristics. Like plant taxonomy, it follows the hierarchical taxonomic ranks, from kingdom to species, which allows the organization of animals into meaningful groups. In modern animal taxonomy, animals are classified under the kingdom Animalia and are further divided into phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species . This classification helps zoologists understand animal diversity, their adaptations, and their evolutionary history. Linnaeus' binomial nomenclature plays a crucial role in naming and categorizing animal species as well. 

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Basic Process of Taxonomy

Taxonomy follows a step-by-step process to study, classify, and name organisms. The basic steps include characterization, identification, classification, and nomenclature. Each step is essential for understanding an organism’s place in the biological world.

Characterization

Characterization is the first step in taxonomy, where scientists study and observe an organism’s features in detail. These characteristics can be external, such as shape, size, or color, or internal, like cell structure or genetic makeup. Through characterization, important traits that define the organism are identified, allowing scientists to compare it with other organisms.
Example  : When studying a plant, scientists may observe its leaf shape, flower type, and root structure.

Identification

Identification is the process of determining what kind of organism it is based on the characteristics observed. By comparing the traits of the organism to known organisms, scientists can identify whether it is a new species or belongs to an already known species.
Example: A newly discovered animal with unique traits is compared to existing species to see if it matches any known group, or if it is a new species.

Classification

Once identified, the organism is classified into a hierarchical system. Classification is the process of organizing organisms into groups according to their shared characteristics and evolutionary connections. The main levels of classification include kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. The aim is to place the organism in the correct group according to its traits and ancestry. Example : Humans are classified as follows:
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Primates
Family Hominidae
Genus Homo
Species sapiens

Nomenclature

Nomenclature is the final step, where the organism is given a scientific name using a standard naming system. The most commonly used system is binomial nomenclature, introduced by Linnaeus. Each organism is given a two-part name: the first part represents the genus, and the second part is the species. This naming ensures that each organism has a unique and globally recognized name.
Example : The scientific name of a lion is Panthera leo, where Panthera is the genus and leo is the species.

Benefits of Taxonomy

  • Provides a systematic way to categorize organisms for easier study.
  • Ensures universal, standardized naming of species.
  • Helps trace evolutionary relationships among species.
  • Aids in identifying species for biodiversity protection.
  • Critical for identifying pathogens and managing crops.
  • Enables predictions about traits and behaviors of similar species.
  • Supports various biological fields like genetics and ecology.

MCQs of Taxonomy

Q6. In taxonomy, the first step is:

  1. Identification
  2. Nomenclature
  3. Classification
  4. Characterisation

Q8. The term taxonomy was proposed by

  1. Theophrastus
  2. A.P De Candolle
  3. Aristotle
  4. R.H Whittaker

Q9. Identify the process by which the name of living organisms is given:

  1. Nomenclature
  2. Identification
  3. Classification
  4. Characterization

Answers of MCQs of Taxonomy

Ans1 . Identification,
Ans2. A.P De Candolle,
Ans3 . Nomenclature
 
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Taxonomy FAQs

Q. Who is the father of taxonomy?

Ans. Carl Linnaeus is widely recognized as the father of taxonomy for his work in developing the classification system and binomial nomenclature used to categorize organisms.

Q. What is the Linnaeus Classification System?

Ans. The Linnaeus Classification System is a hierarchical system developed by Carl Linnaeus to classify organisms based on shared traits. It introduced taxonomic ranks (kingdom, phylum, class, etc.) and the binomial nomenclature for naming species, such as Homo sapiens for humans.

Q. What do you mean by taxonomy?

Ans. Taxonomy is best defined as the scientific study of classifying, naming, and organizing organisms into groups based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.

Q. What is Plant Taxonomy?

Ans. Plant taxonomy is a branch of taxonomy that focuses on the classification and naming of plants based on their evolutionary relationships, structure, and genetic traits. It uses ranks like kingdom, division, class, and species.

Q. What is Animal Taxonomy?

Ans. Animal taxonomy is the scientific study of classifying and naming animals based on their characteristics and evolutionary relationships. It follows a similar hierarchy as plant taxonomy, from kingdom to species, to organize animal diversity.

Q. What are the 7 taxonomy classifications?

Ans. The 7 primary taxonomy classifications are Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
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